Calendar Photo Caption

"Overwhelmed as we are by the images of the Conquest, we often tend to forget the ensuing artistic repression endured by the Indian peoples of Mexico," writes Carlos Montemayor in a booklet promoting an ongoing exhibit presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs. "Today, five hundred years later, we are witnessing a renaissance."

Children are also contributing to the cultural revival. The young artists live in impoverished, remote areas of jungles, forests, and deserts. Their vibrant paintings of shepherds on a mountain, a wedding, an offering, a kick-ball race, and other images inspired by a variety of cultural influences are, according to Montemayor, "only continuing the task begun by their ancestors: Understanding who they are and expressing it, in order to reshape and make whole for the first time, the ancient image of Mexico."

"Colorin Colorado: The Art of Indian Children of Mexico" runs through September 29. Fifteen paintings are at the Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington; one is at the Art Institute's Kraft Education Center, 111 S. Michigan.

Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): Photo of drawing of man wearing sombrero and holding guitar.